Alma 17-22

Poem/prayer by Kristen

For this week, we have a poem/prayer for Queen Lamoni and Abish, two of very few named women in the Book of Mormon, as well as our usual resources for play and reflection.

For my sisters, Queen Lamoni and Abish

Ladies, women, mothers, sisters, majesty, how shall I name you?

I call to you across centuries, across wars and books and believers.

I know what happens after your story shimmers in my hands.

I don’t know what you knew.

I don’t even know what you thought, what you worried about, what brought you joy.

Your children, what did you name them?

Your days, how did you number them?

But sisters (I’ve landed on sisters), I named my children thinking of you.

I’ve read your stories a hundred times, tasting your courage like sweet bread.

I picture you, rising, resurrecting each other, spreading good words as kindling hungry for flame.

I picture you strong, shoulders lifted and chests high, looking into the eyes of your enemy to find yourselves mistaken.

They were mistaken, too. What did they see when they looked back?

Here’s how we remember you:

Desired.

Believing.

Exceeding faith.

Woman.

Great faith.

Converted.

Opportunity.

She ran.

Making it known.

Sorrowful.

Touched.

Stood.

Loud voice.

Many words.

Joy.

Your word is good. I taste it too. I dream of you, sing to you, imagine you holding me across the centuries. I desire, believing, struggling to sing faith, I a woman. I am converted, aching for opportunity, running to make something known. I too am sorrowful, and touched. I want to stand, with a loud voice, with many words. I want my words to bring joy.

Help me, my sisters.

Show me the way to run, standing strong, feasting on the words, awake and aware, and happy.